December 2, 2013

More extra-curricular engine testing: Renault uses a World Series car.

There are media reports suggesting Renault has recently done testing of their 2014 "Turbo Energy F1" power unit at Paul Ricard using a World Series by Renault chassis.

If it true, which it probably is not, it does not mean any rules were broken as FIA sporting Regulations strictly limit testing but only refer to cars, not powerplants.

"Track testing shall be considered any track running time not part of an Event undertaken by a competitor entered in the Championship, using cars which conform substantially with the current Formula One Technical Regulations in addition to those from the previous or subsequent year."

A World Series by Renault car is quite a bit closer to an F1 car in relevance than a modified supercar but Renault as an engine supplier is not bound by the sporting regulations.